Question to the Department for International Development:

To ask the Secretary of State for International Development, whether (a) an environmental impact assessment and (b) a planning application were prepared prior to the clearing and infilling of the Pipers Pond wetland in Montserrat; and if she will place in the Library a copy of such documents.

Environmental Management, Conservation and Physical Planning is the responsibility of the Government of Montserrat (GoM). GoM is accountable for the compliance of its own environment and conservation legislation and planning regulations.

DFID is supportive of GoM’s attempts to strengthen their environment management and praises GoM for the passing of the Conservation and Environmental Management Act this year.

We are not aware of any infractions of physical planning regulations occurring on DFID funded projects in the last four years.

DFID has not funded infrastructure for the Marine Village, Pipers Pond, sand mining or Carr’s Bay Port development.

When designing projects DFID takes into account a wide range of issues and considerations including social and environmental impacts.